The Halo universe is a big one, with a range of comics, novels, and even toys all expanding the lore of the original games in some unique way. Although some of Halo's most famous external content uses fan-favorite characters, like Contact Harvest using Sgt. Johnson as a protagonist, or Eric Nylund's book series focusing on Master Chief's past, it's often the case that these spin-off pieces of media refrain from going too near the events of the mainline games themselves.
Halo Uprising, on the other hand, acts as a direct sequel to Halo 2, taking place just after its ending and bridging the gap between the second and the third game. Though originally designed to release alongside Halo 3 in 2007, Halo Uprising suffered some major delays and wouldn't conclude until 2009. However, the finished product was certainly worth the wait for long-time Halo fans.
A Troubled Development
Starting development quite a while after Halo 2 released in 2004, Halo Uprising was being penned by some of the industry's best, with Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev taking the helm, the former of which is widely known for his extensive work on the Ultimate series of Marvel comics. Following on from the release of the Halo Graphic Novel, Bungie once again partnered with Marvel Comics to produce this limited run.
Originally unveiled at New York Comic Con in 2007, Halo Uprising was set to be a 4-issue limited run that would release monthly. Uprising was designed to release during the lead up to Halo 3, with issue one, two, and three arriving just before the game's September 25 release date, and the fourth issue intended to drop a month later.
Things didn't quite go to plan, however. The first issue of Halo Uprising was set to release on July 18 2007, but due to unknown factors, the comic was pushed back a month, finally releasing into the public's hands on August 22 2007. The comic was an immediate success, selling out within just 24 hours. A second edition with a black and white cover was eventually released, making the original colored variant pretty rare nowadays.
Halo Uprising's development troubles were far from over, though. With Brian Michael Bendis having a substantial role at Marvel at the time, it's reported that he was constantly shifted from his work on Uprising to spend more time working on the Secret Invasion run of comics. Regardless of the reason, Halo Uprising's second issue suffered a two-month-long delay, arriving in November 2007, and the third issue was delayed by almost a year, finally releasing in August 2008.
The fourth and final issue of Halo Uprising, originally planned for an October 31 2007 release, was finally dropped on April 15 2009, almost two years after the release of Halo 3. But thankfully, to many fans, the long wait was worth it.
A Summary of Halo Uprising
Picking up literally the moment after Halo 2 ends, with the words "finishing this fight" still in the air, Halo Uprising's first few panels show John-117 aboard the Forerunner dreadnought that the Prophet of Truth escaped on. The first issue wastes no time in showing the Chief's skill, with barely any dialogue and pages full of panels depicting the Chief slaughtering his way through the ship.
As the Master Chief makes his way past the Covenant forces, the comic cuts to Colonel James Ackerson, a staple character of the Halo novels who is being brutally interrogated by some Brutes aboard the Triumphant Declaration, another Covenant ship. Ackerson tells his interrogators that their invasion of Earth can easily be stopped with something called the "Key of Osanalan," a device that apparently has the power to destroy the Halo rings and is hidden in the city of Cleveland.
The comic then cuts to Cleveland as it is being invaded by Covenant forces. Ruwan, an employee of a local motel, escapes the bombardment and takes refuge in a large stadium along with the rest of the human population. The Covenant forces soon arrive, demanding the Key of Osanalan. Ruwan remarks that he knows where the key is, but is quickly cut off by the sound of gunfire as a squad of ODSTs drop into the stadium.
Ruwan and another civilian called Myras escape the battle, hopping onto the back of a nearby Warthog. After setting up camp, the two talk about their respective lives before the invasion, but are interrupted by the appearance of a hulking Scarab. The two narrowly escape once again, this time jumping aboard a rescue Pelican.
Back aboard the Forerunner dreadnought, the Master Chief comes into contact with a Brute Chieftain who bombards him with assault cannon fire and asks him where the Key of Osanalan is. Sticking the Brute with a plasma grenade, the Chief makes his escape. After a few more intense battles, the Chief finds himself in Truth's private chambers.
Seeing this as the perfect opportunity to end the war, the Chief fires a Carbine round into the Prophet, but hits Truth's shields. Flanked by Jackals, the Master Chief is forced to jump down directly in front of the Prophet. After taking a few shots from the Chief's Carbine, Truth makes a desperate escape, leaving his Brute Honor Guards to take care of the Spartan.
A brief flashback sequence then plays out, showing child versions of Ackerson and Ruwan playing together. The two brothers hold up a piece of plastic, wrapped in tin foil, proudly exclaiming that they've found the Key of Osanalan. It's then revealed that Ackerson lied to the Brutes about the key, hoping that Cleveland, and in turn his brother, would be spared.
In a ploy to assassinate some of the Covenant's top brass, Ruwan agrees to be bait for the Marines, telling the Covenant invasion forces that he himself is the key they're looking for. Ruwan, with a tracker in his blood, is taken to the Harbinger of Piety, the Covenant Minister of Inquisition's ship. Once onboard, the UNSC fire a powerful MAC round into the ship, destroying it.
Cutting to the Forerunner dreadnought one last time, the Master Chief is seen driving along the surface of the ship in a Ghost, trying to avoid the debris from the just-blown-up Harbinger of Piety. Following an order to get to Earth by any means necessary, the Chief leaps off the ship. The comic run ends with the Master Chief breaking into the Earth's atmosphere, right where Halo 3 picks up.
